ExpoRail

For ExpoRail near Montreal, Canada, see Canadian Railway Museum.
ExpoRail
Overview
Main Routes(s): Main Line
Other Routes(s): Northern Line
Parent company: Expolanka
Website: www.exporail.lk
Expo Rail Carriage Attached To a Train

ExpoRail is a train service provider in Sri Lanka. ExpoRail provides premium services on several routes in Sri Lanka, in partnership with Sri Lanka Railways. Although it does not yet operate its own trains for scheduled services, it operates carriages that are attached to trains operated by Sri Lanka Railways. ExpoRail also offers charter services, where entire trains are composed of its own carriages.

In February 2012, Lanka Business Today noted that ExpoRail is the fastest growing luxury train service provider in Sri Lanka.[1]

Overview

Although ExpoRail carriages are attached to Sri Lanka Railways-operated trains, ExpoRail provides on-board services and markets it as a separate operation. The service is aimed at middle and upper middle-income and tourist markets.[2]

Sri Lanka Railways generates revenue by charging ExpoRail a standard first-class fare per seat. ExpoRail charges an additional premium on its passengers to provide its services.[2]

History

ExpoRail launched its first service on a Kandy intercity train on October 1, 2011.[1] Transport Minister Kumar Welgama and Deputy Minister Rohana Dissanayake were present at the launch.[3] On the same day, a competing service was launched by Blue Line Company, the Rajadhani Express.[4]

On December 10, 2011, it added Badulla services and began services to Vavuniya on January 31, 2012. As of February 2012, it is the fastest growing luxury train service provider in Sri Lanka.[1]

In ExpoRail's first year of service, 44,500 passengers had travelled on their services.[5]

Services

ExpoRail serves four routes, on three major rail lines in Sri Lanka.[1][6] Over 60 destinations are served.[5] ExpoRail also provides charter trains.[7]

Route Calling at Frequency
Main Line Colombo Fort to Kandy
and Colombo Fort to Badulla (Udarata Menike)		 All Main Line stations Daily for Kandy;
Tuesday/Friday/Sunday Eastbound and Wednesday/Saturday/Monday Westbound for Badulla
Route Calling at Frequency
Northern Line Colombo Fort to Vavuniya Colombo Fort, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Vavuniya Daily
Route Calling at Frequency
Eastern Lines Colombo Fort to Trincomalee Colombo Fort, Kurunegala, Galoya, Trincomalee Thursday/Saturday/Sunday Eastbound; Friday/Sunday/Tuesday Westbound

Rolling Stock

ExpoRail uses Romanian-built ASTRA passenger coaches which are 30 years old. Imported by Sri Lanka Railways in the 1980, they were refurbished with state-of-the-art interiors in 2011-2012.

During the refurbishment, the carriages were fitted with air-conditioning. They were also given carpeting, first-class toilet facilities, Wi-Fi, LCD TVs, and side racks to store passenger luggage.[5][4] Sri Lankan architectural firm KWA Architects prepared the interior designs.

Livery

Each ExpoRail carriage has a unique livery. The liveries used are typically brightly coloured. Local advertising agency, Trumps Solutions, was responsible for the livery designs.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Luxury Rail". Lanka Business Today. 2012-02-26. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Luxury rail services on tracks from today". Daily FT. 2011-10-06. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  3. ↑ "Expo Rail - a good work by the Railway". Lanka Newspapers. 2012-10-27. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Sri Lankan railway introduces luxury class Services on Colombo -Kandy rails". News.lk. 2011-11-07. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 "Expo Rail turns one". DailyFT. 13 October 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  6. ↑ "EXPORAIL TIMETABLE". ExpoRail. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  7. ↑ "Expo Rail operated a full train on May 10, 2012 for DILMAH". ExpoRail. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
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